Is there a list of common questions asked about Passwords at Bates?

The following is a list of commonly asked password questions:

1. When will my new password expire? 2, What are the strength rules for passwords? 3. Can I use a previous password? 4. How can I choose a strong password? 5. What can I do to help me remember my new password? 6. What happens if I forget my password or it gets stolen? 7. What is involved in the Sponsored Password Change Process? 8. How do I use my Password Change Token to access the Password Manager in order to change my password, where can I do it? 9. How long is the Password Change Token valid? 10. What happens if I forget to change my password before my Password Change Token expires? 11. Is the Password Manager only available on campus, or can it be accessed from any Internet connection? 12. What happens to my College-owned laptop when I change my password while off-campus? 13. Why do we need this level of security? What are we trying to protect?

1. When will my new password expire? Your password will expire 365 days from the date you last changed it.

2. What are the strength rules for passwords? The Password Manager states the password strength rules it also provides the ability to have the system generate some suggested passwords that will pass the strength test. If you create your own password and it fails the strength test the system will communicate the reason for the failure (e.g., password must contain an upper case character, etc). This will aid in the process of choosing a new password.

3. Can I use a previous password? The use of previous passwords is not allowed, this is enforced by the Password Manager when you chose a new password.

4, How can I choose a strong password? The password strength rules in Password Managercan help you choose a strong password but keep in mind that these rules are used to enforce the minimum strength. One good way to increase the strength of your password is to increase the length of it.

5. What can I do to help me remember my new password? There are a number of things you can do: Write it down. It should be the only thing on the paper, do not include your username. When writing down a password you should obfuscate it in some fashion, such as adding characters to it or taking characters out so that someone who sees it will have a hard time guessing your password. Once you’ve written it down you should store it in a safe place like a locked drawer. After you have memorized your password you should destroy the paper so that the password only exists in your head. Type it thirty (30) times in a row. Typing your password thirty times will help you commit it to muscle memory. Chose not to have applications save your password. By choosing not to have applications save your password you will force yourself to type your password more often. This will improve your ability to remember your password.

6. What happens if I forget my password or it gets stolen? If you feel that your password may have become compromised you should immediately use the Password Manager to change the password. If you have forgotten your password or someone has changed your password without your knowledge you should immediately contact the IT Help Desk. The professional staff will guide you through the Sponsored Password Change Process. Using this efficient process you will be able to change your password with Password Manager using a temporary password called a Password Change Token.

8. How do I use my Password Change Token to access the Password Manager in order to change my password, where can I do it? A kiosk computer can be used to access Password Manager. Kiosks are located throughout Ladd Library and some other campus buildings. The instructions for using your Password Change Token will be provided along with the token.

9. How long is the Password Change Token valid? A Password Change Token is valid for 24 hours from the time of generation. A Password Change Token is immediately invalidated as soon as the user changes their password using Password Manager. If the Password Change Token expires prior to the user changing their password the user will be required to follow the Sponsored Password Change Process again in order to be issued a new Password Change Token.

10. What happens if I forget to change my password before my Password Change Token expires? Thirty (30) days prior to the expiration of your password you will begin to receive automated e-mail notifications stating when your password will expire and directing you to use the Password Manager to change your password. If the expiration of your password passes your access to all network resources, except Password Manager, will be disabled. Password Manager will allow you to login using your current, expired, password for thirty (30) after your password has expired. After your password has been expired for more than thirty (30) days, the only way to change your password will be through the Sponsored Password Change Process.

11. Is the Password Manager only available on campus, or can it be accessed from any Internet connection? The Password Manager is accessible from any Internet connection.

12. What happens to my College-owned laptop when I change my password while off-campus? If you change your password while you are off campus your laptop will not be immediately updated with the new password because you will not be connected to the College network. Until you return your laptop to campus you will have to use your old password to access your laptop and your new password to access all network resources. Once you return your laptop to campus it will be automatically updated with the new password.NOTE: If you use the VPN to connect to campus from the Internet your laptop will be automatically updated with the new password.

13. Why do we need this level of security? What are we trying to protect? The College takes the security of our network and systems seriously. Your personal files, e-mail, and other documents are important to you and the College. For these reasons the College has developed password management policies and procedures to safe guard your password and your privacy.

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